Potential of Transient Tests to Diagnose Real Supply Pipe Systems: What Can Be Done with a Single Extemporary Test

Abstract

In this paper, the reliability of a transient test-based technique as a powerful tool in the management of real supply pipe systems is shown. The pressure signal acquired during the first phase of the single completed test has been analyzed on the basis of extensive research activity performed in the previous years in the field of transient test-based techniques and refined on the basis of numerical and laboratory tests. Specifically, the wavelet transform, which allows the automatic detection of singularities in noisy pressure signals, and a Lagrangian model, which evaluates the causes of discontinuities, are efficiently coupled for analyzing the pressure signal acquired in the described pipe system. As a result, the topology of such a system has been checked, and its functioning conditions have been determined. Moreover, the unwanted status of an in-line valve—certified by the manager as fully open but actually partially closed—has been pointed out.